What is the Rural Idyll and why do Geographers find it important?

The idea of a ‘rural idyll’ is an area of great discussion amongst geographers. Finding the rural idyll is part of an area of human geography that has become a major talking point over the last century. This area is known as rural geographies and the idea of finding a rural idyll is a small but fundamental part of this geographical study. Many geographers have sought to define the term ‘rural idyll’ because it has become fashionable for people to find, or in some cases create, the perfect rural environment, especially in the 21^st century where reverse urbanization (people migrating back into the countryside) is occurring and technological advancements make it possible to do so. Some geographers believe that the idea is universal; whereas some feel it is adapted depending on the region. This paper aims to look at the many factors which help in defining the ‘rural idyll’ by looking at various geographical views and attitudes relating to the topic. Geographers have started to define the rural idyll by looking at people perceptions of the idyll

Some geographers argue that we all have our own views on what the rural lifestyle is, that it is spurred on by many things, and that it can be shocking when it isn’t how one expects it to be. Cloke argues that we all have ‘pre-influenced perception’ of what we feel the rural lifestyle should be like. He called upon this as our ‘geographical imaginations’ and that they are shaped by the ‘small but powerful minority which grab the imagination of what country life stands for’ (Cloke 1999). Cloke was explaining that elements of the media and history can create a stereotype of what the rural should be things like rural magazines, television programmes, books, paintings such as John Constables Hay Wain (1891) show a peaceful, natural lifestyle which people seek to find nowadays because it is an escape from the busy, stressful urban lifestyle.  Although Europeans have their expectations of their rural idyll, it cannot be applied compatibly to other regions around the world like, for example the USA. Jonathan Raban in his book Hunting Mister Heartbreak: A Discovery of America (1991) outlines the disbelief that European immigrants felt when they experienced the rural America for the first time. Raban explains that the immigrants where in such an alien environment and that the scale and massiveness of the rural was startling. It appeared that the preconceptions of what the rural is can be shocking to those who find that it isn’t what they thought, but exactly do people want from their rural idyll 

and how have these expectations been met today?

Jeremy Burchardt in “Paradise Lost: Rural Idyll and Social Change since 1800” (2002) explains how rural life has changed almost completely during the 20^th century. He says how the industrialisation and technological change in the rural economy has led to a decline in industry and, inevitably, the need for a population to sustain it. He adds that the occupational structure and age demographic has switched as a result to an older aged and small business make-up. People expect from their perceived rural idyll a slower paced, historic, traditional and more nature interactive lifestyle that will make them healthier and less stressed and they will try to find their perfect experience to live in that suits their needs.

Matt Baker, a columnist for Countryfile Magazine posted an article on its accompanying website detailing reasons why people move to the country and seek their rural idyll. He says that people just wish to move to the country to appreciate the natural environment‘ One of the main draws of rural life is the ability to soak up the landscape on your doorstep” he then continues in saying that some people escape to the rural to pursue business opportunities  “Matthew Rawlings had left a stressful life in Oxford as a design engineer and, in his words, “selfishly moved the whole family to the north to follow a life of baking” But another element of the rural idyll which is important and interesting to geographers is the lengths in which people go to in order to not just find, but create their rural idyll.

Some people have taken very drastic measures to create their own rural paradise. In order to maintain the image and expectation of the rural idyll some have taken measures actively modify many factors of the landscape to create a ‘Model Village’. Jeremy Burchardt in his book “Paradise Lost: Rural Idyll and Social Change since 1800” (2002) talks about an estate owner removing cottages that obstructed his view and rebuilding them elsewhere. These measures are very common in the holiday business too. The company Center Parcs is successful for creating the rural idyll that consumers want. With many parks in the UK and Europe, and with most built within forests, guests are immersed in a rural sanctuary. Only bicycles are allowed within the parks which help to reduce pollution and damage to the environment but also influence people to become more interactive with nature. Geographers such as Sibley have attempted to analyse the exact nature behind the rural idyll, which makes it so attractive to some, but a social nightmare for others.

To most the rural way of life is a safe haven away from the stress, noise and culturally diverse (and often alienating) lifestyle that urban living brings and that most English ‘patriots’ find fearful. But for some the rural life isn’t appealing as it can be socially exclusive, discriminative and incompatible with many creeds and backgrounds. Sibley claims in his book “Geographies of Exclusion: Societies and Differences in the West” (1995) that ‘some cultures create a level of fragmentation to such a degree that certain ideals produce clear cut definitions of “Insider” and “Outsider”. He goes on to say ‘this mode of thinking about cultures produces geographies of exclusion’.  Dr. Keith Halfacree provided his view on the ‘social exclusivity’ of the rural idyll, he examined the social make-up of the rural and how it segregates itself from society “The rural idyll is a selective representation. It is exclusive in its class, race and status connotations, is profoundly conservative and demands conformity” (1996).  One geographer outlines the importance of women in upholding the rural idyll.

Nira Yuval-Davis points out in her book “Gender and Nation” (1997) that women uphold the standards or rural social sects. She quotes “Women are often considered the guardians of borders and culture…Women have in important role on maintaining values and ideals as they bear children and are the ones who are most likely to marry outside the group”. Some geographers now believe that the ‘perfectness’ of the rural idyll is being threatened. The rural idyll has always appeared to be achievable for those willing to seek it, but lately in modern times, with the onset of globalisation appearing to invade the isolated culture of rural life, some believe that the idyllic life people strive for is being irreversibly changed. In their book ‘A Place in the World’ (1995) Massey and Jess believe that localised cultural ideas, in this case the rural idyll, are being  threatened by the invasive nature of globalisation. They talk about globalization posing serious challenges to the meaning of place with ‘previous coherences being disrupted’ and ‘old notions of the local being interrupted by new connections from the world beyond’. They emphasise the fact that changes in cultural and technological fashions are too influential on the fragile and easily affected ‘perfectness’ of the rural idyll. As well as searching for the pros of the rural idyll, geographers are interested in the social problems faced by outsiders willing to fit in rural life, in a website article, findings show how the rural idyll can have unexpected experiences.

On the Telegraph Newspaper website, an article named “Dreams of Rural Idyll can end in nightmares” detailing the anguish felt by shunned members of a rural community. The article states that rural communities can be a “haven for gossip, backbiting and social exclusion for those who did not fit the mould of the perfect village resident”.  Even though rural life can seem perfect, many flaws where uncovered in the article. “It was found that residents who were gay, divorced, childless and even single were victimised and even outcast by other villagers”. Further into the article it documents the finding of a University of Liverpool psychiatrist who spent three months in an ‘idyllic’ village. She discovered a bartender of the local pub was shunned when he announced that he was gay. Additionally “Another long-term resident said former friends in the village had given him the "cold shoulder" after he had an affair, his marriage broke up and his wife and children moved away. A third example revealed a woman who “felt she was excluded from some social activities because she was single. Married women were "suspicious" of her because they thought she would be after their husbands, making her feel "lonely and isolated"

Geographers have been interested in the idea of the rural idyll as its importance has emerged greatly over the last century for many reasons. We all seem to have our own premonitions of what we expect from rurality and that this has been strongly influenced by the media, holiday companies and the change in rural use over the last century. Regardless of the change, people have still chosen to pursue their own ventures and discover their own rural idyll. For some however, the likelihood of them reaching their rural idyll dreams is restricted by social barriers and unfair discrimination. With so many factors that could support the existence of the rural idyll, there are many factors that contribute against the notion. Geographers have contended with the idea of whether the rural idyll even exists at all, let alone whether or not its reachable or not.

References

Cloke P. et al, "Introducing Human Geographies" 1999 pp. 256

Burchardt, Jeremy. "Paradise Lost: Rural Idyll and Social Change since 1800". London, GBR: I.B. Tauris, 2002. pp. 58-59

Massey, D. Jess, P. “A place in the world?” Oxford University Press , London 1995

Sibley, D. “Geographies of Exclusion: Societies and Difference in the West” Routledge, London 1995

Burchardt, Jeremy. “Paradise Lost: Rural Idyll and Social Change since 1800”. London, GBR: I.B. Tauris, 2002. pp. 187-189

Cloke, P. Little, J. “Contested countryside cultures: otherness, marginalisation, and rurality” Routledge, London 1997

Halfacree, K (1996)

Yuval-Davis, N “Gender and Nation” Sage Publications 1997

“Dreams of Rural Idyll can end in nightmares” The Telegraph, 13^th June 2007

Baker, Matt http://www.bbccountryfilemagazine.com/feature/country-people/perfect-rural-idyll. May 2009

 

How globalisation changed the world in the 20th Century.

The twentieth century was an enthralling time for social, political, economic and technological activity that metaphorically 'made the world smaller as a result of the acceptance of global systems. It contained the rise and fall of political powers, economic system battles and a sharp rise in the development of technology. Some regard the twentieth century as 'an age of extremes' (Hobsbawm 1995) and a 'second industrial revolution' (Landes 1969: 4) that took grip on the world as a whole. This paper looks at the changes that took place in the twentieth century in regards to changing political practices, economic development, social trends and the creation of new technologies and how these instances drew in the notion that the world has become smaller as a result.

Probably the most striking and world involving changes which started late in the nineteenth century was the change in industrial methods. Britain is widely accepted as one of the founding economies of the industrial revolution which brought about large heavy industries such as glass and steel manufacture. Then early half of the twentieth century, the focus shifted dramatically. J.B Priestly in his book English Journey (Priestly 1937) contains descriptions of the change in industry in England. In his book Priestly took a drive out of London via the Great West Road and observed some striking changes. He explained 'Years of West Riding have fixed forever my idea of what a proper factory looks like: a grim, blackened rectangle with a tall chimney ay one corner' holding steadfast the idea that late nineteenth century buildings where ugly and heavy duty. As he drove he encountered many of the new factories that had been built 'These decorative little buildings, all glass and concrete and chromium plate, seem to my barbaric mind to be merely playing at being factories'. Priestly regarded these factories to be somewhat 'fake' and not industry focussed, but then continued on to make understanding of them. 'At night they look as exciting as Blackpool. But while these new industries look so much prettier than the old, which i remember all too well, they all look far less substantial. Potato crisps, scent, tooth pastes, bathing costumes, fire extinguishers; those are the concerns behind these pleasing facades' (Priestly 1937: 3-5). In the thirties, Britain was undergoing many changes, with the focus changing away from ugly heavy industrial industries to lighter more socially complimenting 'consumer' industries. The embracing nature of car use is addressed in his book as well as the construction of roads to cater for the technological advances. The USA however developed much differently to that of Britain

 By the late 1930's, industrialised nations such as Britain where effectively using new technologies to found the world economy we know today 'Many colonies and other regions were now being organised commercially to supply the industrial countries with raw materials and industrial products' (Shaw, D 2001 Human Geography Issues for the 21st Century p.78) Some would regard this as the catalyst of what was to become capitalism. The USA had its industrial revolution later than that of Britain and similar countries but did not follow the same trend of development than that of Britain. The USA is a prime example of an economy which had 'leapfrogged' its industries to the modern age, in other words instead of mirroring the slow but substantial industry development like Britain did (inventing coal, textile, metals then onto inventing consumer based industries later) The USA took a hold of the all these industries at one time and used them to amazing effect. Hobsbawm regarded the twentieth century as the 'Age of Extremes' and rightly so. With the onset of both world wars and a world spread economic depression this half was coined by Hobsbawm as 'The Age of Catastrophe'.  With Capitalism becoming ever increasingly popular in industrialised countries, Karl Marx became sceptical at the nature of capitalism and how it could do more harm than good. Such problems included and unfair class system and it money seeking goal system 'the reproduction of daily life depends upon the production of commodities produced through a system of circulation that has profit seeking as it direct and socially accepted goal (Harvey 1985) Industrialised nations drew upon these issues and attempted to 'Organise Capitalism' which involved resolving political and economic issues

Probably the most significant industrial change to significantly 'organise' the economic system of capitalism was the ideal of mass production. It without a doubt sped up economic output made possible the consumer society we have today. F.W Taylor (1856-1915) was concerned with time-and-motion studies and was then practically implemented by Henry Ford (1863-1947) in his Dearborn, Michigan plant where Model T Ford motor cars where produced en-masse. This method was later grasped worldwide and was regarded as Fordism. As well the USA took steps to organise Capitalism by 'establishing a series of institutions like the World Bank, The IMF and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade' (Shaw, D 2001 Human Geography Issues for the 21st Century p.80) which the whole world eventually will have affairs in.  As well as global economic reform, social reconstruction was now a burning inter-war national issue for many countries.

While thriving industrialised nations where enjoying capitalist development, some western European nations took a different path of reformation, under the ideas of Karl Marx, they developed their forms of capitalist opposing governments. The humiliated and economically collapsed Germany sought a new type of government in the form of a mass movement. Kershaw regarded Nazism 'By far the most influential Fascist movement after 1933' (Kershaw 1993). Nazism was Germanys answer to the problems which where gripping the country in the interwar period. Nazism promised social reform in the form of uniting the nation under one leader and opposing the ideals that capitalism holds, 'The Nazi's where moved by a dislike of facets of capitalist modernity, such as commercialism, materialism and individualism' (Shaw 2001). With Nazism being one form of Fascism it was not centred just in Germany. Italy, under the government of Mussolini endured its own denomination of right wing fascism but was wholly similar to Nazism. After eventually defeating the axis powers, the Soviets took a different light to Marx teachings and developed Communism which was not only popular in the newly claimed Eastern Bloc countries but would be embraced later on in China, Korea and South Eastern Asia. Although Nazism had elements of capitalism within it, (as private enterprise was allowed to an extent) Communism 'regarded itself, and was regarded as a threat to the whole idea of capitalism' (Nove 1987) as the structure was focussed solely on the development on the state and everything was owned but the state, in all it was the polar opposite of Capitalism. While Communism was growing other social issues where trying to be resolved

With the end of the Second World War and the destruction it caused, there was a global housing shortage. It seems that Hobsbawm’s 'Golden Age' wasn't so golden but this was just the beginning. In Britain’s case the 1950's and 1960's saw the rapid construction of social housing to make up for the deficit, these where cheap affordable and densely packed to accommodate as many as possible. The new high rise flat blocks which are common site in most British towns and cities and where desirable and a leap forward from the old terrace designs pre-war, 'In Western Europe especially this was an era of bold experiments, in new town and city development, slum clearance and ambitious social housing schemes, regional planning and extensive control over land use' (Hall 1996)

Politically, the 50's and 60's's saw the world economy starting to take shape of the system we know today. Although Soviet Russia was currently undergoing communist rule and spreading its influence on its newly claimed states, elsewhere in the world it seemed the capitalist economies where starting to lose their hard fought colonies. With the ideologies of WWII fresh in their minds, colonies learnt that by practising Nationalism they could in essence 'rise up' against their sovereigns, 'National liberation movements began to demand independence for their countries...Starting with the independence of India in 1947...Many new independent states appeared on the map of Africa' (Shaw 2001)With many of the newly independent nations experiencing a low or declining level of development and political stability and with advances in air and ship technology, trans-national migration was now a reality for most to seek a better future. Many of the migrant routes where between the former colonies and their respective imperial powers, usually because of similar languages and culture. The world was now embracing Wallerstein’s 'World-systems analysis' (1974) which explained that the imperial states are dependent on their former colonies for raw goods and trade and in return the colonies receive aid and development.

By the late 70's communisms grip on its nations where starting to loosen, the break-up of the Soviet Union was imminent. Communisms structure was not as economically viable as it was once thought which resulted in the Soviet states starting to break up, gain independence and embrace capitalism. As the world economy was blurring the lines of international trade with the increasing number of trans-national companies and the strength of the international stock market, economic output was at a high. Technological advances in the seventies where most beneficial to the economy at this time. Early models of computers where performing modest administration tasks but where wholly efficient in developing the economy further. Further advances in telephony where making international communication seamless and now common uses of air travel where flying businesspeople around the world. This overall shift in the type of economy was described by Lash and Urry as 'Disorganised Capitalism' (1987) as the focus was changed from primary industries such as mining and secondary (manufacturing) industries to that of services.

Perhaps the most fundamental and uniting aspect of new technology towards the end of the 20^th century was the development of the Internet. With most technological advancements, its beginnings lied in the military but by 1996 the use of the Internet was customary (Coffman & Odlyzko 1998). The Internet could be regarded as a Global Village (McLuhan 1964) which enabled easy transfer of information and changed the way people around the world share ideas culture and social memes.

With the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989, the pinnacle of Hobsbawm's 'Golden Age' had been met. It signified the end of communism in Eastern Europe and the freedom of its people. Capitalism, as it may seem, had smited its main foe and emerged triumphant in the world economy, but as we know it was no walk in the park. The values that capitalism fought for in world war two led to the creation of its biggest enemy of all, Communism. We could come to the conclusion that Capitalism made more enemies than friends in its beginning. The worldwide acceptance of Capitalism was really only a small part of the big picture. The 20th century saw the rise and fall of many superpowers, most notably Nazis the Soviet Union and the disbandment of the British colonies. Technological advances made travel, work and play a space age reality. It could be seen then that the world embraced global systems more than ever throughout the twentieth century. The move to new industries that became prominent throughout the twentieth century and the new economic and political movements where all spread and implemented by mutual understandings between countries. The spread of use of Communism was appealing and an apparent remedy to the depression felt by the Soviets Germans Italians and more wheras Capitalism was a means to increase efficiency in industry and develop economies further into the future for the prosperous economies of Britain and the US.  With there being a regional political divide towards the end of the twentieth century, the world was made smaller and unified under the system of technology. With its unbound nature and ever increasing ease of use, anyone and everyone started to use it and the mix of interests, culture, and economic ideals that we know today, began.

References

Coffman, K. G; Odlyzko, A. M. (1998-10-02) (PDF). The size and growth rate of the Internet. AT&T Labs

Hall, P. (1996) Cities of Tomorrow, Blackwell, Oxford.

        Harvey, D. (1985) The Urbanization of Capital: Studies in the History of the Theory of Capitalist Urbanization,

        Blackwell,   Oxford.

Hobsbawm, E. (1995) The Age of Extremes: The Short Twentieth, 1914-1991, Abacus, London

Landes D.S (1969) The Unbound Prometheus, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

Lash, S & Urry, J. (1987) The End of Organized Capitalism, Polity Press, Cambridge

McLuhan M. (1964) Understanding Media: The extensions of man, McGraw-Hill, Canada

Priestly, J.B. (1937) English Journey, William Heinemann, London

Shaw, D. 2001 Human Geography Issues for the 21st Century, Pearson Education, Harlow